Caoimhín Kelleher GK Brentford b.1998

[Jolly Red Giant]

Joking aside (am i joking?)... the lack of appearances at his age is a legitimate factor in all this, as the article points out towards the end.
Goalkeepers are different to outfield players - and many are 'late bloomers' - Alisson was 26 when Liverpool signed him and at that point he had made 81 league appearances - 44 of them in Argentina and 37 for Roma.

[Acornvilla]

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cdxvw1vx15ro

There is a poll about halfway through this article. I am calling on all Irishmen and women to do what we do best as a nation. Fix a poll.
Vote early, vote often. CK currently at 61% :D

[Stuttgart88]

I think it's pretty clear at this stage that experience isn't something he's lacking. He looks right at home at a very high level. On another thread we were commenting on Craig Gordon, still razor sharp at 42.

[Acornvilla]

Every week that passes CK's lack of match experience is becoming much less of an issue imo. Bazunu's injury on top of Alisson missing so many games has been a huge boost for him. He's played cup finals, CL, PL, plenty of international games, the quantity of games isn't huge but improved massively now. but the quality is very high.

I'd have thought Bazunu's choices were leading him to have a much better career 12/24 months ago, but things look considerably different now

[SkStu]

Goalkeepers are different to outfield players - and many are 'late bloomers' - Alisson was 26 when Liverpool signed him and at that point he had made 81 league appearances - 44 of them in Argentina and 37 for Roma.

Its not really about being a late bloomer, it is about experience. I agree with whoever said it was less of a factor now woth Kelleher tested at the highest levels consistently. I just thought it interesting that the article called it out - just like we have on here.

[Eirambler]

I wouldn't rule out Bazunu either. He's more than three years younger than Kelleher, and if we take a really long term view he's likely to be in and around the Ireland team for a few years after Kelleher has finished up. The only difference for Bazunu now is that the bar to get the Ireland number 1 jersey before then has been significantly raised. But I'm sure he'll back himself to get back fit and playing, probably in the Championship in the first instance, and then continue to build from there.

[Stuttgart88]

I wouldn't rule out Bazunu either. He's more than three years younger than Kelleher, and if we take a really long term view he's likely to be in and around the Ireland team for a few years after Kelleher has finished up. The only difference for Bazunu now is that the bar to get the Ireland number 1 jersey before then has been significantly raised. But I'm sure he'll back himself to get back fit and playing, probably in the Championship in the first instance, and then continue to build from there.Anyone see McCarthy v Liverpool? Brutal. Russell Martin says Bazunu is flying in training, they're having to hold him back. He might even get some PL minutes in the spring. Before they get relegated.

Edit: Ramsdale is there of course. Duh.

[Eirambler]

Yes it's a shame Ramsdale's injury happened while Bazunu was still out. Though part of me thinks it might not be the worst thing necessarily either, being the goalkeeper for Southampton is a bit of a thankless task this season. Will be interesting to see if Ramsdale's still there next season, if he is Bazunu will need to move - probably elsewhere in the Championship.

And just after I post this I see Southampton have dropped McCarthy for Lumley (who is really not a good keeper even at Championship level). Very rare to see a Premier League team having to throw in their fourth choice keeper. Shows that Bazunu would at least have got a few games in the Premier League this season if fit. Though, again, maybe questionable how beneficial that would actually be.

[Jolly Red Giant]

I wouldn't rule out Bazunu either. He's more than three years younger than Kelleher, and if we take a really long term view he's likely to be in and around the Ireland team for a few years after Kelleher has finished up. The only difference for Bazunu now is that the bar to get the Ireland number 1 jersey before then has been significantly raised. But I'm sure he'll back himself to get back fit and playing, probably in the Championship in the first instance, and then continue to build from there.
I will repeat what I have said before - Ireland are very fortunate to have two such high calibre goalkeepers that will be involved for the next 10-15 years (and Travers is no slouch either).

The injury that Bazunu suffered is a very serious one for a goalkeeper - it impacts on the ability of a keeper to use his feet to push off from the ground - diving, but particularly jumping. It is also an injury that can re-occur and it is an injury that usually occurs at the end of a career, not the start. So Bazunu needs to rehab properly and should not be rushed back. I would be happier if he didn't play this season.

Despite this - Bazunu still has the potential to develop into a top class goalkeeper - but Kelleher is ahead of him, but some distance, at the moment.

[Eirambler]

It's said that a sign of a top class keeper is having nothing to do for about 85 minutes, but still being focused enough to step up and produce a big stop from an opposition chance out of nowhere when it's needed.

[seanfhear]

Kelleher should ge some more games anyway.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2024/1203/1484420-kelleher-form-means-alisson-wont-be-rushed-back-slot/

[Demesne Lad]

[QUOTE=seanfhear;2209798]Kelleher should get some more games anyway QUOTE]

But come March - and barring any further injuries - we could have Kelleher, Bazunu and Travers warming their club benches and only O'Leary playing first team football regularly.

[Eirambler]

Sounds like Kelleher has earned himself a few more starts anyway - in the sense that his form allows Liverpool to hold Alisson back until he's absolutely 100% fit, rather than throwing him back in at 80% which they might have done if they weren't fully convinced by Kelleher.

[joey B]

Really bad night for Kelleher,granted he was playing behind a defence that was not up to scratch but his error for the third was really poor,probably could have done better for the second aswell….

[Stuttgart88]

It seems like he just had a brain fart and suddenly decided to leave it instead of taking what might otherwise have been a routine catch. While Kelleher is exceptional in one on ones and penalties and has sharp reactions my suspicion that he's vulnerable to high balls remains. That said, it was a freakishly good finish. I love how Schar anticipated and reacted to the mistake. In Arsenal v Man U last night Saliba(?) would have had a simple tap in if he had been ready for a defender missing a routine header inside the 6 yard box. Always anticipate the mistake!

[seanfhear]

Bad timing for that mistake from Kelleher ~ ~ I reckon he may well have got this game bar that mistake in the last game.

[rebelmusic]

Sounds like Alisson had a great game as well. Ah well...of they get an offer they can't refuse in the Jan window maybe...

[seanfhear]

Not wishing an injury on any player ~ ~ But that could be what happens, either with another club or maybe even Liverpool.

[Eirambler]

He'd be crazy to go anywhere before the end of the season. He's odds on to add a league title to his European Cup, Super Cup, FA Cup and League Cup medals if he stays. And - other than the League Cup wins - this would be the one he'll have contributed to the most.

He'll play a lot more at his next club, but he'll win a lot less silverware too.

[elatedscum]

Another good performance by Kelleher. Nothing he could do about the goal. One excellent save late at 2-1 and a few other good saves across the game.

Injuries aside, could see him play up to 4 games in January. League cup semi final first then fa cup fourth round, then potentially two champions league games

[Eirambler]

Is there a benefit to Liverpool in playing him less at this point? His stock is high, he has made one big error but has generally been very good. So his transfer value is probably at his highest now. They might think it's better to leave Alisson in goal for the CL games at least I'd suspect, maybe the FA Cup game too, as any clangers from Kelleher could hurt his transfer value in the summer. And anyway it's not as though Alisson has been overplayed this season.

He'll get the League Cup game alright, that's his competition.

[Rayzor]

He'd be crazy to go anywhere before the end of the season. He's odds on to add a league title to his European Cup, Super Cup, FA Cup and League Cup medals if he stays. And - other than the League Cup wins - this would be the one he'll have contributed to the most.

He'll play a lot more at his next club, but he'll win a lot less silverware too.

Wouldn't think there is any chance of Liverpool letting him leave either with Allison injury record.
Second choice keeper Ionut Radu cost inter Milan a scudetto, his blunder is as famous as Gerrald slip in Italy.

[Snapshot]

Is there a benefit to Liverpool in playing him less at this point? His stock is high, he has made one big error but has generally been very good. So his transfer value is probably at his highest now. They might think it's better to leave Alisson in goal for the CL games at least I'd suspect, maybe the FA Cup game too, as any clangers from Kelleher could hurt his transfer value in the summer. And anyway it's not as though Alisson has been overplayed this season.

He'll get the League Cup game alright, that's his competition.

Such a scenario would underline Liverpool doubts about Kelleher - a de facto vote of no confidence. The club, possibly on the cusp of a great era, would not want to lose a goalkeeper they consider a champion in the making. It's a damn hard position to fill and if they believe Kelleher is the man, he goes nowhere.

Also, Kelleher is very capable of a clanger. He's owned at least two high-profile shockers recently (Hungary and Newcastle) and other marginal contenders. Some quality saves too, but a save can only be defined as such if, had the ball gone in, the goalkeeper would not be blamed. Not always the case.

It would be disappointing too if Kelleher was content to hitchhike to stardom on the bench. All those plastic medals. More preferable and credible would be a solid regular-start PL career at such as West Ham, Villa, Newcastle or maybe Leeds. Better for Ireland too.

But I also think Liverpool will make that decision for him.

[Eirambler]

Liverpool made the decision when they bought the Georgian. Kelleher's time is up and he has admitted as much himself - he will move on in the summer. If they choose not to play him outside of the League Cup they can easily explain it away by saying that that's his competition and Alisson is number one for every other game when fit.

They now have no need to pick Kelleher any further for his development, or to increase his value - he is there now purely as cover for Alisson until the end of the season, and will also play the League Cup games as would have been agreed previously.

[~YTM~]

Liverpool are playing Accrington Stanley in the cup so he could play in that or they might give Jaros minutes. In previous seasons Kelleher has played against some lower league opposition in the FA Cup with Alisson coming back in against PL opposition and sometimes championship teams

[zero]

doesn't even get the league cup start. he's on his way surely.

[seanfhear]

doesn't even get the league cup start. he's on his way surely.
Could he go this window ?

[third policeman]

Disappointing. Not least as Alison was less than impressive on Sunday. One very good save tonight, but looking very nervy.

[Eirambler]

Carabao Caoimhin doesn't even get the Carabao Cup games now - wow. He'll probably get the FA Cup game at the weekend, but still...

[rebelmusic]

Couple of dodgy moments from Alisson tonight indeed. Liverpool not having a great night in general

[liamoo11]

Carabao Caoimhin doesn't even get the Carabao Cup games now - wow. He'll probably get the FA Cup game at the weekend, but still...

Ali needs games so I think kelleher might be sub again in fa cup

[Jolly Red Giant]

Ali needs games so I think kelleher might be sub again in fa cup
Kelleher will probably play in the FA cup - Liverpool play Forest on Tuesday so Slot will rest most if not all of the first eleven.

[EalingGreen]

Couple of dodgy moments from Alisson tonight indeed. Liverpool not having a great night in generalWas at the game and yep, didn't look entirely comfortable, with the ball at his feet, at least. That said, he did make one outstanding "smother" of the ball before it got across for Solanke to score.

And yes, L'pool were very lacklustre, esp in the first half. And when they did push forward in the second half and begin to dominate play, that actually hurt them, since it left them open to the counter attack, which nearly punished them more than the one goal

[irishfan86]

Well, he’s through to the league cup final. Not much to do against a pretty tame Spurs in the second leg of the semi-final.

[liamoo11]

Well, he’s through to the league cup final. Not much to do against a pretty tame Spurs in the second leg of the semi-final.

Spurs keeper very poor horrible for first 2 goals and generally panicky

[elatedscum]

Distribution was excellent. **** all else to do. Tip the ball over the bar from a dangerous deflected or miss-hit cross that might have been going in and then convinced the ref it had already gone out first for a goal kick, which it hadn’t.

Son hit the bar from a ridiculous angle but Kelleher probably did as well as you could expect.

Still - felt like he covered everything well if you know what I mean. Son had a dipping shot late on and Kelleher got back on his line and made sure it was going over the bar. Spurs similarly had a wayward shot or two earlier in the game where he covered his angle well and dived and had it been on target, he had it covered

[Eirambler]

Looking almost certain now that he will leave Liverpool as a Premier League winner.

[Razors left peg]

Looking almost certain now that he will leave Liverpool as a Premier League winner.

Darren Ferguson also has a Premiership medal... Leaving Liverpool is the main thing there

[elatedscum]

Darren Ferguson also has a Premiership medal... Leaving Liverpool is the main thing there

Being at Liverpool hasn't done him any harm. He's our best player and he's got there under the tutelage of Alisson Becker, Claudio Taffarel, John Achtenberg, Fabian Otte, Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot.

[Razors left peg]

Being at Liverpool hasn't done him any harm. He's our best player and he's got there under the tutelage of Alisson Becker, Claudio Taffarel, John Achtenberg, Fabian Otte, Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot.

That'd be grand if he was still a young player.... hes 26, its time to move out of Mammys box room

And I'd absolutely argue the point that hes our best player.

[irishfan86]

Darren Ferguson also has a Premiership medal... Leaving Liverpool is the main thing there

Not an appropriate comparison as Kelleher has actually had an important role to play in Liverpool’s season if they go on to win. No argument on the need to leave.

[elatedscum]

And I'd absolutely argue the point that hes our best player.

who's our best player?

[Razors left peg]

who's our best player?
Nathan Collins by a mile at the moment. Ferguson at his best would be but his best hasn't been seen in too long to make the argument for him. Collins is one of best defenders in the Premiership now.

[elatedscum]

Nathan Collins by a mile at the moment. Ferguson at his best would be but his best hasn't been seen in too long to make the argument for him. Collins is one of best defenders in the Premiership now.

i saw someone say recently that every club in the premier league thinks that they have one of the best three centre backs in the premier league and listed these lads below:

forest - murillo/milenkovic
bournemouth - zabarnyi/huijsen
everton - branthwaite
palace - guehi/anderson
villa - konsa
brentford - collins
newcastle - schar/botman
brighton - van hecke

others who weren't mentioned but should be in the conversation:

liverpool - van dijk/konate
arsenal - saliba
spurs - van der ven
city, take your pick who you think

a far cry from a decade ago, where there were barely any decent centre backs in the whole league and City had Mangala and Demichelis, Liverpool had Klavan, Arsenal had Holding and Chambers etc. etc. etc.

-


i do think if Kelleher really goes to Newcastle or Chelsea for £40m with one year left on his contract (as the papers have reported this week), then that's a fee that no Irish player in that contract situation could dream of.

[Razors left peg]

i saw someone say recently that every club in the premier league thinks that they have one of the best three centre backs in the premier league and listed these lads below:

forest - murillo/milenkovic
bournemouth - zabarnyi/huijsen
everton - branthwaite
palace - guehi/anderson
villa - konsa
brentford - collins
newcastle - schar/botman
brighton - van hecke

others who weren't mentioned but should be in the conversation:

liverpool - van dijk/konate
arsenal - saliba
spurs - van der ven
city, take your pick who you think

a far cry from a decade ago, where there were barely any decent centre backs in the whole league and City had Mangala and Demichelis, Liverpool had Klavan, Arsenal had Holding and Chambers etc. etc. etc.

-


i do think if Kelleher really goes to Newcastle or Chelsea for £40m with one year left on his contract (as the papers have reported this week), then that's a fee that no Irish player in that contract situation could dream of.

The center half quality issue of a number of years ago has now been flipped into a similar lack of quality in strikers now.

If Kelleher does move and plays every week I think then it's fair enough for him to come into the conversation of our best player, but right now my personal opinion is he has to prove it consistently first

[Eirambler]

Arguing over which of our £40m+ rated players is the best is a welcome change of position to be in anyway. And there are three players who arguably fit that description.

[Demesne Lad]

Several websites report Eddie Howe's intention to sign a new goalkeeper, with James Trafford (22) of Burnley their first target. However, Burnley are believed to price Trafford at £30m. According to Newcastle Utd fan site www.geordiebootboys.com, Newcastle also tracked Kelleher before the January window. As Liverpool are having to consider reducing his price tag to £20m as he enters the last year of his contract (The Mirror, 4 March), geordiebootboys.com see the Corkman as a bargain alternative to the younger Trafford.

[elatedscum]

Did anyone see Alisson’s performance tonight? Jesus, unbelievable stuff. Hands down the best keeper in the world

[Colbert Report]

He was unreal, about five top class saves that he had no business even coming close to saving.

[Kingdom]

Did anyone see Alisson’s performance tonight? Jesus, unbelievable stuff. Hands down the best keeper in the world

It was a performance akin to a golfer breaking 60, or a 5000m runner going through the gears on a record. He was absolutely in the zone and the focus was immense, particularly with the carnage going on around him.